Manually-operated shrink-wrap device

ABSTRACT

A manually-operated shrink-wrap device is described. The device includes a rigid support member having first and second sections, a handle at the first section, and a flexible leash attached to the second section. The rigid support member is adapted to support a film roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensing of film from the film roll to wrap the target load, which is typically a palletized load. The device also typically includes upper and lower film roll engagements for holding the film roll therebetween. A tensioning member may provide tension to the film roll along the longitudinal axis of the support member upon movement of one of the film roll engagements towards the tensioning member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C §119(e) and any other applicable provisions, thisapplication hereby claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.60/324,697, filed on Sep. 25, 2001. The contents of U.S. PatentApplication Serial No. 60/324,697, and of any other U.S. patent or otherreference, if any, cited in this application, are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to a device for wrappingobjects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a devicefor supporting a roll of stretch film for manually wrapping palletizedgoods, containers and other objects.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When goods are shipped on palettes or in assembled packages, it iscommon to wrap the load with a stretched film to avoid the goods fromshifting or falling. The stretched film produces a tight wrap on theload and provides basic protection from the elements. Bothmanually-operated and fully-automated systems exist to wrap plastic filmaround goods.

Manually-operated devices typically require the operator to positionthemselves in awkward and physically demanding positions that may poseundue risk of back injury, depending upon the size, shape, and othercharacteristics of the load being wrapped. One such manually-operateddevice is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,951 entitled “Stretch FilmWrapping Device”, issued to Riemenschneider, III on Aug. 20, 1985.Specifically, the Riemenschneider device requires the operator to benddown low to wrap the bottom portion of the load, and to reach up high towrap the top portion of the load. Similarly, to wrap load portionsbetween the top and bottom, the operator must engage in a wide range ofvarious positions in which the operator's back, arms, and legs, may besubject to undue strain. Such awkward use is required with theRiemenschneider device because all points of manual engagement are rigidand are fixed relative to the film roll.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved manually-operatedshrink-wrap device in which at least one point of manual engagement isflexible and not fixed, and in which the operator's arms are notrequired to be fixed relative to the film roll while wrapping loads.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A manually-operated shrink-wrap device is described. The device includesa rigid support member having first and second sections, a handle at thefirst section, and a flexible leash attached to the second section. Therigid support member is adapted to support a film roll, and tofacilitate rotational dispensing of film from the film roll to wrap thetarget load, which is typically a palletized load. The device alsotypically includes upper and lower film roll engagements for holding thefilm roll therebetween. A tensioning member may provide tension to thefilm roll along the longitudinal axis of the support member uponmovement of one of the film roll engagements towards the tensioningmember.

The device of the present invention is used by: preparing the device forwrapping an object with the film, placing a section of the film againstthe object; and wrapping the object with the film, by rotationallydispensing the film from the film roll. Typically, this involvesgrasping both the handle and the leash to maintain control of thedevice. In this manner, awkward and physically demanding positions thatmay pose undue risk of back injury may be minimized or avoidedaltogether, because the operator's ability to maintain a generallyupright position, even during wrapping of the upper and lower loadportions, is facilitated by the flexible leash, as further shown anddescribed herein. The operator's arms are thus not required to be fixedrelative to the film roll while wrapping loads.

The present invention thus provides an improved manually-operatedshrink-wrap device in which at least one point of manual engagement isflexible and not fixed, and in which the operator's arms are notrequired to be fixed relative to the film roll while wrapping loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of amanually-operated shrink-wrap device in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 being used to wrap palletized goods.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of wrapping an object inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a manually-operated shrink-wrap device 100, asseen in FIG. 1, and is preferably used with 12-inch, 15-inch, and18-inch standard plastic film rolls, in the wrapping of palletizedgoods. However, the present invention may be used equally effectivelywith non-standard target goods to be wrapped. The invention, asdescribed herein, optimizes the operator's handling of the device 100 byallowing the operator to easily wrap target goods at various heights.

The device 100 includes a rigid support member 2 having first and secondsections 2 a and 2 b respectively. There is no definite starting orending point between the two sections 2 a and 2 b, but rather theseterms are used for reference to indicate an upper and lower portion, orproximal and distal portion generally, depending on the orientation ofthe device 100 at any given time. The first section 2 a may include ahandle 11 at the top thereof. Handle 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a simple gripfixed to first section 2 a of rigid support member 2, but handle 11 maybe removably attached to first section 2 a, and may comprise anadjustment means or adjustment member (not shown) for verticaladjustment thereof relative to the rigid support member 2. Theadjustment means/member may include, for example, a quick-release latch,or a rotational knob or bolt for engaging support member 2 upontightening thereof. Adjustment of handle 11 may be desirable to activatea tensioning member such as spring 12 seen in FIG. 1, to providevariable tension or selected torque to the film roll 1 during operationof device 100. Second section 2 b may be curved, as seen in FIG. 1, toprovide clearance from film roll 1 during use.

The device also includes a flexible leash 13 attached to second section2 b. Flexible leash 13 may be leather, nylon, chain, cloth, plastic, orany other flexible material, as opposed to a rigid material such as ametal rod or wood. Flexible leash 13 may include features similar toknown leashes for pets, such as automatic retraction. Flexible leash 13may have a loop or hand grip 16 for convenient control thereof. Flexibleleash 13 is attached to second section 2 b of rigid support member 2 byany suitable means 17. For example, a ring, spring-clip, or common latchsimilar to those used to attach a dog leash to the dog's collar may beused. Thus flexible leash 13 may be removably attached to second section2 b of support member 2. Flexible leash 13 may also be fixed to secondsection 2 b of support member 2. Flexible leash 13 allows the operatorto change the height of device 100 from the ground, depending on thesituation.

Rigid support member 2 is adapted to support a film roll 1, and tofacilitate rotational dispensing of film 3 from film roll 1, to wrap thetarget load 8, which is typically on a palette 7 as seen in FIG. 2.Device 100 also typically includes upper and lower film roll engagements4 a and 4 b respectively, for holding film roll 1 therebetween. Filmroll engagements 4 a and 4 b are preferably positioned concentricallyabout support member 2. Film roll engagements 4 a and 4 b are shownseparated in FIG. 1 for convenience, but such separation does notnecessarily represent actual positions of the engagements 4 a and 4 bduring use. For example, typically once film roll 1 is positioned onrigid support member 2 as seen in FIG. 2, engagement members 4 a and 4 bare forced upwardly and downwardly respectively to operative positions.

One or both of film roll engagements 4 a and 4 b may be movable along alongitudinal axis 14 of support member 2. On the other hand, one of filmroll engagements 4 a and 4 b may be fixed, and even integrated withsupport member 2 as a single unit. In FIG. 1, both film roll engagementmembers 4 a or 4 b are shown as moveable, in which case a retainingmeans is used to prevent members 4 a and 4 b from vertical movementbeyond a certain point. In FIG. 1, retaining means comprises a washer orwashers 9 and associated pin 10. However, such means may be simply ametal plate, foam plate, tab, or other suitable means.

A tensioning member 12 may provide tension to the film roll 1 alonglongitudinal axis 14 of support member 2 upon movement of one of filmroll engagements 4 towards tensioning member 12. In FIG. 1, tensioningmember is a spring located between film roll engagement member 4 a, andupper pin 10. Handle 11 may be moveable along longitudinal axis 14 ofsupport member 2 towards tensioning member 12, to facilitate providingtension to film roll 1.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow chart illustrating a method of wrapping anobject in accordance with the present invention is shown. The processbegins at step 300. At step 310, a manually-operated shrink-wrap deviceas described herein is provided. A manufacturer, distributor, or otherthird party may supply the device. In this respect, “providing” thedevice is intended to refer to the fact that such a device is in factpresent in use with the method, and so the device may also be providedby the actual operator thereof.

At step 320, the device is then prepared for wrapping the target objectwith the film. The film roll may already be in place about the rigidsupport member, or the operator may place the film roll in place at thistime. If the vertical position of the film roll needs adjusting, thismay be facilitated by moving one of a plurality of film roll engagementsalong a longitudinal axis of the support member to provide tension tothe film roll along said axis. Alternatively or in addition, anadjustment means of the handle may be used for vertical adjustmentthereof relative to the rigid support member, thus also providingsimilar tension. The film roll engagements are typically positionedconcentrically about the support member, as best seen in FIG. 1, suchthat they hold the film roll in place (see FIG. 2). Both the handle andthe leash are grasped by the operator, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Once the device is prepared for use, a section of the film is placedagainst the target object at step 330, and the target object is thenwrapped with the film at step 340, by rotationally dispensing the filmfrom the film roll. The target object may include palletized goods asseen in FIG. 2, or other stacked goods or goods of non-standard shapesand sizes. The flexibility of the leash allows the operator to orientthe device at various angles, positions, and heights, as needed. At step340, either the operator may move while the goods remain stationary (asrepresented by arrow 5 in FIG. 2), or vice versa, or both may move. Theprocess ends at step 350. Thus, using the device of the presentinvention as described herein, with the flexible leash, the target goodsare successfully wrapped, and the operator is not exposed to undue riskof back, neck, or other physical injury.

While certain embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and aredescribed herein, including preferred embodiments, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments describedherein may be modified without departing from the inventive conceptsdescribed. For example, a fixed handle, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,951,may be attached to the second section 2 b of support member 2, tofacilitate the wrapping operation when the height of the film roll 1 isat substantially the same height as the operator's waist. Accordingly,Applicants' invention as described herein is not to be restricted,except in accordance with the law by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A manually-operated wrapping device comprising: arigid support member having an elongated first section and a secondsection; a handle at a proximal portion of the first section; and aflexible leash attached to a distal portion of the second section;wherein the proximal portion of the first section is at a proximal endof the rigid support member, and the distal portion of the secondsection is at a distal end of the rigid support member; wherein therigid support member is adapted to support a film roll, and tofacilitate rotational dispensing of film from the film roll.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the leash is removably attached to the secondsection.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second section is curved.4. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle is removably attached tothe first section.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the handlecomprises an adjustment means for vertical adjustment thereof relativeto the rigid support member.
 6. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of film roll engagements for holding the filmroll therebetween, said plurality of film roll engagements beingpositioned concentrically about the support member.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein one of the plurality of engagements is movable along alongitudinal axis of the support member.
 8. The device of claim 7,further comprising a tensioning member which provides tension to thefilm roll along the longitudinal axis of the support member uponmovement of the movable film roll engagement towards the tensioningmember.
 9. A method of wrapping an object comprising the steps:providing a manually-operated wrapping device comprising: a rigidsupport member having an elongated first section and a second section; ahandle at a proximal portion of the first section; and a flexible leashattached to a distal portion of the second section, wherein the proximalportion of the first section is at a proximal end of the rigid supportmember, and the distal portion of the second section is at a distal endof the rigid support member, and wherein the rigid support member isadapted to support a film roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensingof film from the film roll; preparing the device for wrapping an objectwith the film; placing a section of the film against the object; andwrapping the object with the film, by rotationally dispensing the filmfrom the film roll.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising thestep of holding the film roll with a plurality of film roll engagementspositioned concentrically about the support member.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the holding step comprises the step of moving one ofthe plurality film roll engagements along a longitudinal axis of thesupport member.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of movingone of the plurality of film roll engagements provides tension to thefilm roll along the longitudinal axis of the support member.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the step of preparing comprises the step ofgrasping both the handle and the leash.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the leash is removably attached to the second section.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the second section is curved.
 16. The methodof claim 9, wherein the handle is removably attached to the firstsection.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the handle comprises anadjustment means for vertical adjustment thereof relative to the rigidsupport member.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of wrappingthe object with the film is performed while grasping both the handle andthe leash.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the handle is graspedwith one hand of a person operating the device, and the leash is graspedwith the other hand of the person, and the arms of the person are notrequired to be fixed relative to the film roll while wrapping loads. 20.A manually-operated wrapping device comprising: a rigid support memberhaving an elongated first section and a second section; a handle at aproximal portion of the first section; a flexible leash attached to adistal portion of the second section; a plurality of film rollengagements positioned concentrically about a longitudinal axis of thesupport member for holding a film roll, one of the plurality ofengagements being movable along the longitudinal axis; and a tensioningmember which provides tension to the film roll along the longitudinalaxis upon movement of the movable film roll engagement towards thetensioning member; wherein the proximal portion of the first section isat a proximal end of the rigid support member, and the distal portion ofthe second section is at a distal end of the rigid support member;wherein the rigid support member is adapted to support the film roll,and to facilitate rotational dispensing of film from the film roll; andwherein the handle has an adjusting member.
 21. The device of claim 20,wherein the leash is removably attached to the second section.
 22. Thedevice of claim 20, wherein the handle is removably attached to thefirst section.
 23. The device of claim 20, wherein the handle ismoveable along the longitudinal axis of the support member towards thetensioning member, to facilitate providing tension to the film roll.